A surge of hatred rose within her. "Apologize to Livia now!"
Malva’s eyes flickered with coldness. Her hands, once supporting her on the ground, clenched tightly together until her freshly done nails dug into her skin, causing pain.
"Mom..."
Just as Malva was about to speak, a sharp, ear-piercing slap echoed through the room as Hailey slapped her across the face.
She sneered coldly. "I'm not your mother! You're just a poor student we've supported. Your mother is still working in the fields in the mountains! If it weren't for Livia's kindness, wanting to sponsor you when you couldn't afford school, you would have already been sold to some village as a bride. How could you be living comfortably like this now?"
A murmur spread through the room and the gazes directed at Malva were filled with contempt.
Malva gritted her teeth and swallowed her pride. “Mrs. West, I didn’t cause all her injuries…"
Before she could finish her sentence, another sharp slap landed on her face, leaving five distinct fingerprints.